Sony denies PlayStation 3 delays

Despite persistentrumors suggesting that the PlayStation 3 is delayed, Sony insists that the console will launch this spring as planned.

"There is no change in our original plan to release the console in spring 2006," Sakaguchi told the press in Tokyo, referring to the company's only stated goal for the launch so far - namely that the console will appear in at least one territory, most likely Japan, this spring.

With further details, such as the PlayStation 3's eventual price, actual street date, and region availability still a mystery, it seems unlikely that Sony will be ready for a widespread launch in just a few months. The PlayStation 3 may indeed be available in the spring, but potentially only in limited quantities in Japan.

Microsoft expects Xbox 360 availability issues to be resolved by the end of March, if not sooner. That could put additional pressure on Sony to make a little more noise about the PlayStation 3, if only to inject doubt into the minds of potential 360 buyers.